Personality in Focus
Lola Ade John: From Tape Cutting to a Walk for Tourism
By Frank Meke
Tourism Minister, Mrs lola Ade John, will embark on a physical endurance test tomorrow, Thursday, September 26th, and, on Friday, 27th, in a fanciful show of force for Nigeria tourism. Lola Ade John will lead her team to cut open the ceremonial tapes at the Abuja Radio House where the ministry and its troupe of jesters would celebrate World Tourism Day.
The World Tourism Day is celebrated annually on the 27th of September, by all members States of United Nations Tourism (UN Tourism), formerly known as the United Nations World Tourism Organisation ( unwto) with a special theme, focal to either addressing global tourism issues or highlighting its famed interventionist values and gains to economies and peoples all over the world.
This year’s theme, “Tourism and Peace”, takes a deeper insight into how the industry adjudged the largest employer of labour, helps to enthrone peaceful coexistence among nations through strategic understanding of cultural tourism diversity and values inherent in preserving people’s heritage competitiveness, powering job creation and revenue generation to develop a sustainable rural economy.
In a news report by Daily Telegraph paper, the Nigerian agenda to celebrate the day, which was forwarded to me, the reporter cheekily “mocked” lola Ade John Walk for tourism as a ” new dimension,” leaving readers with options to draw their conclusions on the Walk through the city of Abuja, which was not intentioned to call for a change to the bitter but avoidable communial clashes across the country with our most border communities going to battle over land related issues or over other mundane dislocations. Auntie lola walk is not also reported to help address the near total collapse of our once secured environment by marauding kidnappers and haters of Nigerian peace.
The minister’s new wtd Walk therefore calls for a serious interrogation to what actually it’s meant to achieve since she not either flying a kite to draw attention to the possibility of a national reorientation to having a peaceful engagement by Nigeria’s diverse cultures and peoples to show temperance in any possible sociopolitical issues that may bred dislocations neither is her cat walk on the well paved Abuja roads is to go host at the Abuja city gate a creatively designed Nigerian flag that could excite the history books of the
Guinness World Record with a thoughtful message, calling on Nigerians to live in peace for the sake of cultural tourism promotion and national development.
Anyway, since the minister and her wtd planning committee are strangers to the many socioeconomic dislocations in the country, which in itself provokes a breached environment, her choice to approve and lead such adventure walk for mere test of physical health fitness, is worrisome because she did not tell us if there would be oversight by medical paramedics and ambulances in case any participant starts breathing hard for fresh air.
Knowing fully well that our government people only think about their pockets and not their health, that lola Ade John organised walk may lead to another avoidable national emergency, which may again force out our caring president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to leave his busy table on hospitals round visits to sympathise with those who should just simply in the first place gather at Apo Hills for a breath of fresh air and healthy drinks to celebrate World Tourism Day, instead of trying to show us a new dimension to how not draw attention to a failed tourism ministry.
My friend and brother in the pen business, Okorie Uguru of African Herald Magazine, called me up this morning to remind me that Nigeria ought to be celebrating 25 years of tourism but poisoned his intervention by equally reminding me( us) to list what gains we had made over those two decades and half.
I won’t write all he angrily vomited, particularly about those unelected but selected to confuse and confound our cultural tourism narratives.
So,by tomorrow and Friday, we shall stay in various corners to watch madam lola Ade John and her new Olympic hopefuls in a national tourism walk to which intent is just be seen to ” show off skirt and sport boots in the name of tourism.
The radio house talk show, I am very sure, will be the same banal meetings on Friday, to which we have seen her sustain for the past few months. Now that she is so fit to walk from the city gate to the radio house, and if you know Abuja very well, that is indeed a distance that must require both police , road safety, and national emergency services .
To walk such a distance by our lovely and beautiful minister who is just coming out of health issues scares me to no end, and I kind of wonder why her aides want her to take such a risk.
Maybe the Madam tourism UK based medical team has given her the nod to participate, but I will suggest she just go straight to the radio house, cut the tape to declare the tourism talk show open, present a nice paper with no commitment to anything serious to either on attention to the security agencies to wake up and secure Nigeria or simply dance to the drummings of her cultural troupe of tourism jesters, share drinks and say bye to another meaningless gathering for the sake of tourism and peace!.
Writers across Nigeria, under the auspices of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW), have united in commemorating the 94th posthumous birthday of one of Africa’s greatest literary icons, Prof. Chinua Achebe. Achebe, renowned globally for his groundbreaking novel *Things Fall Apart*, remains an enduring symbol of literary excellence and cultural preservation.
In a statement issued by Wole Adedoyin, the President of SYNW emphasized Achebe’s unmatched contributions to African literature and his role as a beacon of inspiration for writers across generations. Adedoyin highlighted the Society’s unwavering commitment to honoring Achebe’s legacy through creative and impactful initiatives.
One of the key tributes mentioned is the *Chinua Achebe Annual Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture*, initiated by the Anambra Chapter Coordinator of SYNW, Izunna Okafor. Now in its 9th edition, the festival has become a significant platform for celebrating Achebe’s works and discussing his influence on modern African literature.
Cynthia Maduekwe, the President of the Nigeria Society of Campus Writers, also spearheaded the *Writers Tour*, another initiative aimed at engaging young writers with Achebe’s literary philosophy. This tour exposes aspiring authors to Achebe’s timeless themes of cultural identity, colonialism, and societal transformation, ensuring his legacy continues to inspire future generations.
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) reaffirmed its dedication to Achebe’s memory through these longstanding programs. Writers across the country were encouraged to reflect on Achebe’s life and works, sharing tributes and essays on social media platforms to further propagate his vision of storytelling.
Adedoyin lauded the efforts of writers like Okafor and Maduekwe, whose initiatives keep Achebe’s legacy alive.
He also urged literary organizations and institutions to continue collaborating to sustain Achebe’s impact on African literature and culture.
“Prof. Achebe’s work transcends literature. He gave Africans a voice on the global stage, presenting our stories with authenticity and pride. Celebrating his 94th posthumous birthday is a reminder of the power of storytelling in shaping society,” Adedoyin stated.
The SYNW also used the opportunity to announce plans for a series of upcoming events dedicated to Achebe in the coming year, including essay competitions, poetry readings, and book discussions. These programs aim to further Achebe’s vision of nurturing literary talent and promoting African narratives.
As the literary community celebrates Achebe’s life and achievements, his timeless words resonate: “Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”
Achebe’s legacy continues to inspire writers to tell their own stories, preserving the richness of African culture for generations to come.
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers concluded by inviting literary enthusiasts to join in celebrating Achebe’s enduring impact, emphasizing that his legacy is a shared treasure for all who value the power of words.
Personality in Focus
UBA Appoints Henrietta Ugboh Independent Non-Executive Director As Owanari Duke Retires from Group Board
Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has announced the appointment of Henrietta Ugboh as an Independent Non-Executive Director.
The appointment has been approved by the relevant regulatory bodies, including the Central Bank of Nigeria.
UBA’s Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, CFR commenting on the appointment, said, “Henrietta Ugboh brings a track record of professional success, integrity and leadership, which will further strengthen the UBA Group Board, underlining once again the Group’s commitment to robust corporate governance.”
Ugboh holds a degree in Economics and Statistics from the University of Benin, an MBA from ESUT Business School, and is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School’s Executive Management Program. She has over 30 years experience in banking with Citibank and is an Honorary Senior Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and a Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration (FICA).
Elumelu added that with her considerable experience and expertise, which includes commercial banking, credit, and risk management, the UBA Board is delighted to welcome Mrs Ugboh to the Group Board, “We look forward to her invaluable contribution to the Group, as we continue to execute our unique growth strategy across Africa and globally.”
The Board also announced the retirement of Mrs. Owanari Duke, an Independent Non-Executive Director, who joined the UBA Group Board in October 2012.
During her tenure, Mrs. Duke provided distinguished leadership, serving on Committees of the Bank including the Board Governance Committee, Board Audit, Governance, Nomination & Remuneration Committee, Board Credit Committee, Finance & General Purpose Committee and Statutory Audit Committee.
On behalf of the board, Mr. Elumelu expressed UBA’s deep appreciation to Mrs. Duke for her dedication and significant contributions to the Group, wishing her the best in her future endeavour.
United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than forty-five million customers, across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 20 African countries. With presence in New York, London, Paris and Dubai, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross-border payments and remittances, trade finance and related banking services.
Personality in Focus
Tinubu Hails FirstBank’s Immediately Past CEO, Adeduntan on Exceptional Service
By Eric Elezuo
Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, has congratulated the immediate past Chief Executive Officer of the FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan as the bank holds a splendid Sendforth party on his behalf for a meritorious service.
The president’s congratulatory message is contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Information & Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.
The statement reads in full:
PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES DR ADEDUNTAN, AS FIRST BANK CELEBRATES EX-GROUP CEO
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulates Dr Adesola Adeduntan, the retired Group Chief Executive Officer of First Bank Nigeria Limited, for his exceptional service at Nigeria’s oldest bank.
In celebration of Adeduntan’s remarkable tenure, the 130-year-old First Bank will host a special send-off ceremony this weekend, expressing gratitude for his contributions over the past nine years.
President Tinubu commends him for steering the bank through transformative growth, which includes expanding customer accounts from 10 million to over 42 million and elevating Profit Before Tax from N10 billion in 2015 to an impressive N300 billion in 2023.
These milestones, the President said, reflected Adeduntan’s visionary leadership and commitment to excellence.
The President expresses his appreciation for Adeduntan’s willingness to serve the nation in various pivotal roles, including his contributions to the Nigerian Economic Summit Group and other prominent institutions. His extensive expertise in the financial sector has significantly bolstered Nigeria’s economic landscape.
President Tinubu also lauds the bank’s solid internal management ethos, which is responsible for the seamless transition from Adeduntan to the current CEO, Olusegun Alebiosu.
President Tinubu wishes Dr Adeduntan continued success in all his future endeavours.
